The delegation, having entered Taiyuan, headed toward the Underworld Alliance.

Although it was our first time here, neither the escort warriors nor the rest of us tried to find the way or specifically ask people where the Underworld Alliance was located.

No, there was no need to ask at all.

Because all the martial artists in Taiyuan were moving in the same direction.

To be exact, every single bastard with 'I am a bad guy' written on his face was moving in the same direction.

The sight of Orthodox Murim martial artists, commonly seen in Wuhan or Henan Province, was nowhere to be found aside from our delegation.

Of course.

'... Even our delegation can't be seen as the perfect standard of Orthodox Murim martial artists.'

I looked at the two people muddying the waters of our delegation and spoke.

"How about we slowly part ways now?"

"Are you saying that now?"

At my question, Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi tilted their heads, as if finding it strange instead.

I suppressed my brow from furrowing as much as possible and explained it to them.

"Now we have to raise the Murim Alliance's flag as a delegation, and wouldn't it be awkward if the two of you were here?"

"I am fine with it."

"This young lady is also fine with it."

"..."

No, we are the ones not fine with it, us!

Ak Byeongbi seemed to share a similar thought, as ever since we entered Taiyuan, his face was scrunched up as if he were rolling a bitter gall bladder in his mouth.

You might wonder what Ak Byeongbi being displeased has to do with me, but the bad karma piled up between him and me is already as high as the second floor of a pavilion.

I'm saying it's incredibly annoying.

"Hmm... Is the Murim Alliance delegation unable to raise their flag just because they fear the gazes of Underworld bastards?"

Did he hear Hyeoltu's sarcasm?

Ak Byeongbi, who had been walking ahead, suddenly shouted toward the escort warriors.

"Raise the flag!"

As the escort warriors raised the Alliance's flag atop the carriage, Hyeoltu looked at me with a triumphant expression.

"There shouldn't be any problems now, right?"

Right, I am the one at fault for expecting tact from an Underworld figure.

They live however they please, which makes them Underworld figures, so I'm the one who's wrong. Yeah, absolutely!

As we crossed through the city of Taiyuan and headed for the outskirts, the surrounding scenery slowly began to change.

Private homes and shops disappeared, and towering buildings could be seen on a rather desolate plain.

As if conscious of the Murim Alliance, they seemed to have been built quite splendidly using modern techniques.

'I think it's taller than the main building of the Murim Alliance?'

Even if it was newly built, comparing a nearly fifty-year-old building to one that was just constructed was a bit strange, but the Underworld Alliance's building was undeniably splendid and grandiose.

The surrounding buildings were also being constructed in harmony with the main building.

Watching that sight, Tang Seo-hee tilted her head.

"It's peculiar. Why did they stop halfway while building the wall?"

Just as she said, the main gate and the wall surrounding it had been built. But beyond that, there was no wall.

It seemed difficult to use for a wall's original function, which was to separate the outside from the inside.

With that shape, it meant you could enter from the back or the side without necessarily going through the main gate.

Everyone else seemed to have similar thoughts to Tang Seo-hee, but my opinion was slightly different.

'Who exactly is it?'

While people were hurriedly coming and going around the other buildings, clearly showing that construction was still ongoing, it was quiet around the wall.

This was probably taking the Underworld Alliance's future expansion into consideration.

Since it was unknown how many people would gather at the Underworld Alliance compared to the Murim Alliance, it seemed to be a setup in preparation for that time.

'Settling down in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, as well as raising the surrounding buildings... Do they have a tactician?'

A martial organization is also ultimately like an institution.

Depending on whether there is someone acting as the brain, the lifespan of the group itself would change.

Establishing a system and rules, and exercising enforcement power to maintain the organization...

That was a problem that needed to be equally solved by both the Orthodox faction and the Underworld.

"It would be best to head that way for now."

An escort warrior looking around the area pointed to the main gate.

People were all standing in a long line in front of the main gate.

It seemed as if every Underworld figure in the world had gathered; despite there being five people writing in the guestbook, the line hardly shortened at all.

We stood at the very end of the long line of carriages.

Those who hadn't paid much attention to us at first began whispering one by one upon seeing the Murim Alliance flag planted on our carriage.

"Are they from the Murim Alliance?"

"Why have those hypocrite bastards come here?"

"Are they planning to cause a scene?"

"What? How dare they cause a scene at the Underworld Alliance?!"

Since we were walking into a crowd of Underworld bastards in the first place, I had expected we wouldn't be welcomed, but once they noticed our presence, many began openly displaying hostility.

"It is fascinating, nonetheless. To think everyone is standing in such a long line even without a wall. It seems people of the Orthodox faction and the Underworld are all just alike after all."

Ilmyeong spoke, seemingly in awe of the unexpectedly orderly sight of the Underworld.

I was a bit surprised by it too.

Weren't these guys the type to live by breaking every existing rule in the first place?

Were they maintaining order to the bare minimum out of respect for the organization that would become their center?

Even if I was curious, I couldn't bring myself to ask, so as I just looked around, I found the answer in an unexpected way.

"You cursed bastard! Can't you see the main gate over there!"

CRASH!

The moment someone ignored the main gate and stepped into the Underworld Alliance through the area with no wall...

A man wrapped in iron armor with a massive physique matching Ak Byeongbi's sent the visitor(?) flying with a fist the size of a pot lid.

The visitor(?), who flew a whopping ten jang and smashed into the ground, rolling several times, didn't move anymore, seemingly having lost consciousness.

The companions who had tried to enter the Underworld Alliance alongside the visitor(?) were appalled by the overwhelming giant's actions and stealthily slinked to the back of the line.

The giant crossed his arms and pointed his chin at the collapsed man.

"Any of you bastards, go ahead and try crossing the wall as you please! You'll end up just like him."

Ah, so this was the secret to their orderliness!

But seeing him talk about a non-existent wall as if it was there, it must definitely be visible to those with wicked hearts.

No one is mentioning that there's no wall, right?

I was quietly marveling as I watched their sorry state.

The man brushing off his pot-lid-sized hand looked around, and our eyes met.

"Hmm? You?"

He was none other than Hwang Bushik of the Four Emperors Peak.

He was the person I formed a connection with after smashing the front gate of the Four Emperors Peak during the Murim standard exam.

"Black Flame Dragon!"

Hwang Bushik effortlessly stepped over the imaginary(?) wall he told everyone else not to cross and strode right over to me.

Wait, if he told others not to carelessly cross over, shouldn't he use the main gate himself?

Underworld bastards really just live doing whatever they want.

While I was shaking my head, Hwang Bushik leaned back and began to laugh loudly.

"I knew you would come! Bwahahahaha!"

Damn it, you guys are the ones who invited us.

Hearing him say it like that makes it feel like I came here on my own two feet.

I forced a smile and asked how he had been.

"Have you been well all this time?"

"Well? I've been so busy I haven't had a moment to breathe."

"You finally formed the Underworld Alliance like this."

Hwang Bushik, who had been grumbling, suddenly looked over my group and started slapping me on the back.

"It's all thanks to you, Jin Sowoon!"

No, please stop!

It puts me in a tough spot when you say things like that! I'm part of the Murim Alliance delegation.

"Please refrain from pretending we're so close. Won't people misunderstand...?"

I mumbled in a fading voice.

For some reason, Hwang Bushik, having seemingly peeked at Ak Byeongbi, slipped his hand onto my shoulder.

"Come now, why are you acting like this! Haven't we been through a lot together since the Underworld Night March?! The Underworld Alliance won't forget your contributions!"

Hah, look at this. This guy is doing it on purpose.

Whether I sighed or not, Hwang Bushik's face, which had been scanning the members of our delegation, stiffened the moment he saw Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi.

"A-Ah. Why are the elders with these guys..."

Hyeoltu let out a hollow laugh.

"It's been a while. You seem to have grown even taller than in the past."

"T-That is right. Since I had just turned ten at that time."

Hwang Bushik, who seemed like he had nothing to fear in the world, showed a visibly tense expression.

"Did you perhaps come here together with Jin Sowoon?"

"Yes. This friend guided the way for us."

"..."

At Hyeoltu's words, Hwang Bushik looked at me with a complicated gaze before bowing toward Hyeoltu once more.

"I will escort you inside immediately."

Hyeoltu looked over our group and asked.

"Can they come in together as well?"

"We are fine."

I declined, but.

Hyeoltu didn't accept it. Sure, do whatever you want.

"... Yes, please do so."

Those who had been looking at us with displeasure now stared with a mix of surprise and envy.

Hwang Bushik left the line, easily striding over the very wall he had prevented people from carelessly crossing, and guided us inside.

I grew incredibly perplexed by his bold attitude.

"Are we allowed to cross this wall?"

At my question, Hwang Bushik tilted his head in return.

"Wall? What wall?"

But earlier you said you'd kill anyone who crossed the wall...

* * *

As soon as we entered, receiving a grand welcome, greeting the key figures of the Underworld Alliance, and meeting the First Alliance Leader... did not happen.

The escort warriors who brought the cargo were assigned a separate lodging, and our delegation group was guided to the quarters closest to the main building.

Was it because we were important figures? Or were they trying to surround us just in case?

Hwang Bushik, who had guided us to our assigned quarters, immediately took Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi and headed elsewhere.

As they were walking away, Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi looked back.

"See you later."

"This young lady will miss the Young Master every night."

... I feel like I just heard something unnecessary.

Contrary to my wish of never meeting them again, the two of them spoke as if we would reunite shortly and faded into the distance.

In any case, we were assigned quite nice rooms by the lodging's servants.

One room for Tang Seo-hee to use alone as a woman, and one room for Ak Byeongbi, Ilmyeong, and me to use.

"Since going out might be uncomfortable for you, we will bring the food directly to you."

The servant said that and then left the room.

All over the Underworld Alliance, drinking parties, gambling dens, and brawls were taking place, as if a massive banquet had broken out.

It was natural to have celebrations on the eve of the founding ceremony, but the sight of people enjoying such unbridled entertainment was something rarely seen in an Orthodox sect.

Because fundamentally, Orthodox sects believe that going to another's sect and starting a fight is an insult to the host.

Anyway, considering that the people gathered inside the Underworld Alliance were all Underworld figures, our very existence was no different from a Thunderbolt Bomb.

Knowing this, the servants must have offered to bring the food and alcohol directly to our quarters.

However, there was someone who wanted to go out.

Puffing her two pale cheeks up with air...

"Why can't we go out and enjoy the feast?"

It was Tang Seo-hee.

She constantly wanted to join the drinking parties happening inside the Underworld Alliance.

Like hell that would work.

Especially considering how her eyes sparkled when looking at the gambling tables or the brawls, she seemed more interested in the entertainment than the alcohol.

I inwardly hoped Ak Byeongbi would stop her, but he just ceaselessly chugged the alcohol brought by the servants, seeming to have no intention of saying anything.

No, how can he drink so fearlessly without worrying they poisoned the alcohol?

Haa, my head really hurts.

I glared at Ak Byeongbi again, and he finally parted his lips.

"Do whatever you want. Just don't go somewhere and get beaten up."

"..."

After saying that, Ak Byeongbi continuously downed his drink.

I shouldn't have bothered.

While I was shaking my head, Tang Seo-hee shot her hand up with a blank expression and shouted.

"Wow! Can we join in now?"

... I don't even know anymore.

Given that the servant offered to bring our food, it seemed like an indirect way of telling us not to go out.

Well, looking at it another way, they didn't explicitly tell us not to go out.

However.

The problem was that I had no idea what kind of trouble would happen if Tang Seo-hee went out alone.

Of course, I wasn't worried about Tang Seo-hee getting hurt by someone.

I was worried about who was going to get hurt by Tang Seo-hee.

Besides, on the way here, she ultimately didn't get to play hero or play stronghold either.

Not knowing what kind of games a kid on the verge of exploding with energy might play outside, it was a situation akin to the anxious heart of a parent unable to let them go alone.

In the end, I stood up from my seat to take on the role of Tang Seo-hee's overseer.

At that, the bald head who had been reciting sutras to the side stood up alongside me.

"... Do you plan to come along?"

"Is this not a better opportunity to spread the will of Buddha than any other?"

"..."

Ah, right.

Since there's no place where the will of Buddha works less than here.

I'm so thrilled I could die. Seriously.